characteristics

WINDataNOW! real-time meteorological tower technology is pioneering the next generation of data acquisition systems. WINData’s systems allows operators to collect high fidelity data to provide better forecasting and enhanced operations for improved power production and better plant economics.

High fidelity equipment reveals hidden characteristics of wind data

11% difference in estimated power density projections

WINData has created the next generation met tower wind data logging technology using industry standard components and standards. The WINData logger, in partnership with OSIsoft, Inc. (makers of the PI System), allows for very high fidelity wind speed data to be captured from met tower applications. This high fidelity wind data gives WINData customers deeper insight into their site’s potential.

Wind data from WINData’s real time data logger can be stored on site for extended periods of time or be streamed live to WINData’s central servers or your own PI System infrastructure.This gives you the information you need to make sound decisions, and puts met tower data right alongside SCADA data for wind farm operators.

The real-time data logger is able to operate either in a connected or disconnect fashion, and will catch up WINData’s central servers in case of connectivity outages. The WINDataNOW! data logger operates completely off the grid and has minimal power requirements.

Data can be made available to users in many different ways. From a real-time web-portal, to a daily, weekly, or monthly assessment of your sites. WINData analyses and custom analyses that you provide can all be used in conjunction with the wind data hosting services of WINData.

The wind speed data collected by WINData’s real-time logger is an asset that becomes an integral part of your site’s power production. Development and operating companies will use this archived wind speed data later for warranty and performance assessments long after the site has been developed. Due to the fact that the logger is based on the PI System from OSIsoft, your data will fit seamlessly into any operating company’s operations infrastructure.

Because of the wind data’s high fidelity, wind scientists and WINData experts can perform more detailed analysis on your site’s wind patterns and discover hidden information that 10 minute average data obscures. Greater understanding of multi-level turbulence, wind direction shifts, and ramp event effects are all made possible by collecting better, high fidelity data.

Contact WINData today to discover how your met tower installation can be powered by the PI System and WINData’s expertise.

WINData conducts wind resource assessments to determine the meteorological and climactic characteristics of a site and from this analysis can estimate the potential power production and the impact to the project’s bottom line.

WINData provides met program design, data collection, data summaries, wind power output summaries, wind site analysis and professional meteorological certified reporting as per client requirements. Preliminarily, WINData can often determine a site’s seasonality and wind quality through a combination of a site visit, maps, and any existing site or regional data.

WINData site analysis is conducted using wind speed, wind direction, temperature, pressure and regional air density data gathered at or near the site’s location. Typically, wind flows vary over the complex terrain in a project area and it is crucial to have an experienced analyst conduct a topographically appropriate site study.

Other factors examined to determine the environmental conditions at the site include:

Annual average ambient temperature

Extreme minimum ambient temperature

Extreme maximum ambient temperature

Days of temperature below –17° C

Days of temperature above 30° C

Average relative humidity

Height above sea level

The Weibull scale parameter and mean wind speed are used to determine the IEC Classification of the site and the subsequent classes of turbines that are suitable. The lower Weibull shape parameter indicates a large mean wind speed. The air density at the site is lower than at sea level, which will reduce the fatigue caused by the large mean wind speed.

If the temperatures on-site are very low, Low Temperature Option package are required from the turbine manufacturer and will be necessary for the best performance of the wind turbines at the project site. WINData uses the met data analysis to determine the size, number and manufacturer of wind turbines that will be used.

For each turbine, the following information is considered:

Power Curve

Technical specifications

Tower type and proposed hub height

Design life

Level of certification achieved

IEC design wind class (I, II or III)

Summary of performance guarantees and warranty provided

WINData can lead the process for final wind turbine selection and generate turbine recommendations for the project site. As the turbine selection process proceeds, WINData can go out to the list the potential turbine vendors to determine the availability and delivery schedule and other aspect of the turbine supply process, and further, obtain firm pricing bids and negotiate TSA’s and MRO’s for equipment and for warranty, service, and maintenance agreements with the manufacturer.